Ok, well at this point in my life all I have to worry about is graduating. It is quite possibly one of the most amazing feelings. The last time I posted was after the first week of the run of the show. I realize how long ago that was but lets put some things into perspective. So we had the show first of all (by now you all have seen how much time that can take out of your day), and then there is school (also a big committment), I saw three shows in DC during and right after the show ended (at least 5 to 6 hour long trips there and back), I had to worry about JRB meetings and hearings, SCHB stuff, JRB was doing a video taping for freshman orientation which I sadly could not be a part of because of the show, I had my job in the department, and I also was doing my law school applications and personal statement for law school. I’m sure I am forgetting a few things but needless to say I was quite busy these last few weeks, but now it’s over! I celebrated by going to Las Vegas with my roommate Stephanie for a few days which I think is acceptable because I have been working so hard these past few weeks and needed to unwind before I went crazy… So I did and it was amazing, such a wonderful place. Las Vegas was just so beyond what I had expected I can’t really describe it other than saying just go there and you’ll see.
So anyway, my thoughts after the show has closed. It’s sad! I will never again be on stage as a performer (barring some strange turn of events), I have to close this chapter in my life so I can concentrate on my career and where I want to go with a law degree (lets hope one of these schools lets me in). R &J was truly a great show to end my time as a performer at Mary Washington. I was so satisfied with the outcome. I was speaking to Jenna the other day as we drove back from DC after seeing Gem of the Ocean at Arena, and we were talking about how strange it is that performing is not only a talent some are born with but also a skill you need to learn. I realize I might be breaking the misnomer that I am a modest person (hah) by saying that when I came to Mary Washington and first auditioned I thought I was really good I thought I was one of the best in fact I now realize I was dead wrong. I have learned so much about how to perform here I am not sure what the specifics to it are. However, I do know that I did not know how to do what I can now before I came to Mary Washington. I was not truly proud of the work I did on stage until I became Smudge in Forever Plaid a year before the run of R & J. Something finally clicked and I thought “this is fun, I can do this and do it well.” Now some might think that I didn’t do it well, I for one thought I could have maybe sung a little better or been able to do the choreography a little more accurately, however, I really thought that I was doing well which is what matters. R & J taught me that this is one of the most important things you can do. Believe in yourself and oftentimes the results will be that much better. Obviously, many have heard this before but believing it and actually doing it are two different things. I do not believe that I could not have done better. That would be really foolish but rather that I am very happy with what I did and that it was the best that I could have done at the time, which is what really matters. None of this would have been possible though without all the help and direction from Gregg and Jenna. It was very hard for me to take direction from Jenna at times not only because we are close friends but also because she is a peer and I think of her level of expertise the same as mine, however, because she was part of the process I got to see even more how important an outside opinion is. I have always known that what you think you are doing can be completely opposite to what you are actually doing and getting a second opinion is often the best way to improve. So, Jenna, if you read this I would like to say thank you and that if I seemed a little grudging at times it was only because I hold you in the same esteem I hold myself. I cannot begin to describe how indebted I am to Gregg. Gregg if you are reading this I am not prying for a good grade on my senior project I really mean this. I can not even begin to descibe how much he has taught me. Lessons in theatre often reflect lessons in life. If theatre truly represents the most important moments in a persons life than the lessons I learned through working with Gregg have been lessons on understanding the most important moments in life. Now truly is there a more perfect subject matter for someone to learn. It is just so hard to describe what he has taught me. However, if you had an opportunity to see Les Liaisons Dangereuses and R & J four years later you might get somewhat of an idea. You learn so much as an actor. The reason for this is because not only do you need to know yourself inside and out but also know a completely different person on the same level. I have found that the role of the director is to guide the actor along that journey and he did exactly that. I really am indebted to Gregg for the opportunity to play Student #1, not only because I got to play Romeo who was and is my all time favorite role to perform, but also because I got a lesson into who I am. Which I needed at this point in my life. It is time to move on once again after I graduate. I don’t know where yet but I am prepaired. R & J was a great expirience and I want to thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart for letting my career as a performer go out with such a bang. Thanks for listening once again and I will be back with updates until the end of the semester.
Peter
